Dear food diary…

Yesterday my friend Vicki was bemoaning the fact that despite dieting for a week, she's actually put on 2Ib. 'And I've given up wine,' she wailed.

I totally sympathise, because I've been on a diet all summer. It's called the 'Eat What You Like and Don't Think About the Consequences' diet (you won't find it on the bookshelves), and has involved copious quantities of ice-cream, chocolate buttons and cheese.

Of course I know that the formula for successful dieting is do more + eat less = lose weight, but I'm definitely a Comfort Eater – and let's face it, after the summer I've had, I needed some serious treating.

But now things have settled down, it's time to do the 'D' word again, not just because I'll feel better, less bloated and have more energy and confidence, but also because I'd really like to be able to wear something gorgeous at Christmas and New Year (ie, not a tent).

Dieting alone is fine if you have tons of willpower, and what definitely works is keeping a food 'diary' so you can't lie to yourself about what you've eaten. But if you need a little more support and none of your friends are in the same boat than a slimming club might be the answer. For me what's always worked is Weight Watchers. (And they have a special offer on for KidStart members at the moment – £10 back for your kids on new memberships. So you can feel good in more ways than one.)

If you're on a diet at the moment, or you have any dieting tips you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them!

written by Liz Jarvis